Ascend Federal Credit Union Hiring for Corporate Communications Lead Job at Tullahoma, TN Full Time

Ascend is the largest credit union in Middle Tennessee and one of the largest credit unions in the United States, with over $3 billion in assets. With an occupation-based field of membership, Ascend is focused on the expansion and diversification of the select employee groups it serves, which creates greater security for the credit union and its member-owners. Approximately 650 employees serve more than 207,000 members from 29 Middle Tennessee branch locations, Regional Operations Center, Teller Center and Corporate Headquarters.

Ascend recognizes that its employees are critical to the credit union’s sustained success and future growth. Our employees are the face of the credit union and their personal successes fuel the success of the team. Through collaboration between employees, management, our membership and our Board, we fuel an engine that propels the credit union forward.

What We Offer:

Thank you for your interest in a career with Ascend Federal Credit Union! Being employed by Ascend is vastly different than just holding a job. The credit union prides itself on providing employees rewarding career opportunities, competitive benefits and a unique work culture. The credit union’s commitment to its employees is fostered by its commitment to the member-owners, ensuring dedicated and engaged employees to serve the membership. Ascend’s vision to be the most loved credit union in our market by employees and members alike has earned the credit union distinctions including Federal Credit Union of the Year (NAFCU, 2015), Best Credit Union to Work For (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020) and Training Top 125 (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019).

Overview:

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a credit union spokesperson/media contact behind the President/CEO, Chief Strategy Officer, and VP of Marketing. As Ascend’s expert in writing and communications, is a resource for internal and external communications.
• Together with the VP of Marketing, work with Ascend’s Public Relations Firm to identify public relations opportunities in the industry. Leverage said opportunities to generate brand awareness and brand goodwill amongst industry partners and members.
• Lead all content creation and postings for Ascend’s social media sites. Ensure that content calendar supports marketing campaigns and content is consistent across platforms.
• Work closely with Graphic Designer Lead, Junior Graphic Designer and agency partner as applicable to create marketing campaigns that can include the following elements: statement inserts, print ads, direct mailers, radio spots, on-hold messaging, statement message, multimedia, various Web banners, email blasts, employee talking points, teller pod messaging, light boxes, billboards, and television commercials. Write, proofread and edit copy for these elements and assist with finding art.
• Serve as project lead for VP of Marketing in inter-departmental meetings as or required.
• Create and implement plans to grow social media audiences and report monthly on progress.
• Manage all social media comments to ensure Ascend’s online reputation is protected and improved. Responsible for reputation management 24/7.
• Work with agency partners and digital marketing team members to supervise and create content for social media, website and/or blog.
• Accountable and responsible for Ascend’s quarterly member newsletter, Possibilities. Identifies content, writes and manages production.
• Accountable and responsible for production of Ascend’s Annual Report. Coordinates concepting and layout, develops copy and manage production.
• Responsible for production of Ascend’s Neighborhood Report. Concepting, coordination of content, write, and manage production.
• Write and/or supervise the creation of speeches, letters and emails for the President and CEO of the credit union, senior management and other credit union personnel as needed.
• Write and/or supervise the creation of press releases and develop media contacts within the credit union’s service area and with national credit union trade publications.
• Write and/or supervise the creation of Ascend’s Media Kits and keep the information current. Prepare kits for distribution upon request.
• Work with the VP of Marketing to keep credit union employees and members informed about legislative activity affecting credit unions. Create and send letters to governmental officials to encourage, persuade and/or inform them about issues important to credit unions.
• Should the opportunity arise, work with Graphic Designer Lead, Junior Graphic Designer and Business Development team to create marketing documents associated with a merger, underserved submission and the addition of a select employee group with more than 3,000 employees.
• As part of the credit union’s Crisis Communication Plan, perform duties as a member of the Crisis Response Team.
• Create talking points for credit union personnel who are the subject of interviews.
• Plan, execute, and oversee all public relations efforts and campaigns including developing press releases and other content as needed.
• Create all the copy associated with groundbreakings and grand openings, which includes speeches and program copy.
• Create copy to promote all scholarships in which Ascend is involved.
• Create copy for Ascend’s website, mobile channel and social media platforms as needed.
• Craft key messages for ongoing partner requests.
• Effectively collaborate with advertising agency partners to ensure all joint marketing efforts mesh seamlessly in our markets. Serve as project lead for broadcast, radio, and other campaigns that deliver the credit union’s brand voice.
• Coordinate content generation by Ascend staff as needed to support all marketing and communication functions.
• Respond to member comments received via email and questionnaire, and assist Digital Marketing Lead and Digital Marketing Specialist with social media responses as needed.
• Coordinate seminars, activities and events including educational workshops, youth group presentations, and the Annual Meeting. Create and/or edit copy for each.
• Effectively develop relationships with school systems. Provide backup support to Business Development Officers with educational presentations as needed. Conduct mock interviews.
• Assist Marketing Specialist with development/coordination of the credit union’s scholarship programs.
• Assist Marketing Specialist with annual marketing award submissions to secure peer recognition of credit union promotional efforts.
• Provide backup support for marketing personnel.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in English, journalism, copywriting, or equivalent experience.

• Eight to ten years of experience writing and editing in a deadline-driven environment.
• Five to eight years of experience managing social media content/platforms maximizing engagement & growth.
• Experience as a reporter and/or public relations professional preferred.

• Must present a friendly, courteous and professional image to credit union members, potential field of membership companies, outside vendors, and co-workers.
• Knowledge of social media best practices for engagement and growth.
• Strong proofreading and editing skills, preferably using Associated Press style guidelines.
• Creative writing skills to ensure effective and award-winning promotional campaigns.
• Knowledge of all media (print, radio, television) to ensure effective productions.
• Must possess excellent verbal and written communication and organizational skills.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Possession of a valid, unrestricted driver’s license.
• Must be able to use or have the ability to be trained to use related office equipment, including calculator, computer terminal, Macintosh desktop publishing system, camera, laser printers, multifunction copier and typewriter.
• Knowledge of Asana or similar project management software a plus.
• Macintosh PC experience desired with emphasis on Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook.

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